Sterilizer.



J. C. DARNALL. STERILIZER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, I915.

-1,217,1 13. Paten t d Feb. 20, 1917.

A) TTOQ/YFY onnion.

Jonn o. DAENALL, or sr'iionron, VIRGIN-IA.

' srnniniznnil Specification of Letters Iatent.

enema Feb. 20, 1917.

' Application filed April 23, 1915. Serial No. 23,514.

To all whom it may concern:

Be 1t known that 1, JOHN C. DARNALL, a citizen of the United States of America, and

av resident of Staunton, in the county of.

Augusta and State of Virginia,'have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Ster1l1zers,'of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to sterilizing devices that are especially adapted foruse in hospitals, saloons, pharmacies, eating houses or hotels, and other places where it is desired to keep utensils, surgical instruments, cutlery, glass, metal and silver ware, as well as articles of food, in a sanitary and health- -ful condition.

It relates, more particularly, to sterilizing-ovens in which steam is used that is in direct'contact with the contents thereof.

The object of the invention is to provide a main-chamber or oven with a steam generating-chamber at its bottom that is under suitable valve-control and a steam condensing-chamber at its top that is also under valve-control, whereby the hot steam is liberated from the generating-chamber into the oven from below and duly liberated or released into the said condensingchamber when the contents of the oven are to be withdrawn and without inconvenience and dan- 4 ger of burning or scalding to the operator of the device, the details of structure and operation being hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the device taken on the dotted-line b, b, of Fig.

3, showing the device in normal condition ready to be prepared for use, one glass-tumbler rack being shown in supported'condit1on in one compartment of the two of-the oven'and an empty tray being shown in the upper part ofthe other compartment.

Fig. 2, a front elevation of the device seen in Fig. l but with onset the front doors closed and the. other door (to the right) open and Without any trays or racks therein;

Fig. 3, an elevation of the right-hand end of the device seen in Fig. 2, but with the doors closed;

Fig. 4, a vertical sectional elevation taken on the dotted-line a, a, of Fig. .2 and showing the right-hand compartment of the oven, pith the door closed;

. adapted to contain water or other Fig. 5, a detail perspective view of one form of wire-mesh tray adapted for use in the oven;

Fig. 6, a view similar tofFig. 5 butjshowinga tray having solidsides and'wr u a wire-mesh bottom; 7

Fig. 7, a plan view of the preferred form of rack or grating used for receiving and holding glass-ware'and the like; and- Fig. 8, a detail, fragmentary plan view of the fore-end of the condensing-chamber with the top" plate. thereof removed so as to more clearly show the sloped corners that serve to direct the flow of the water of condensation into the drain-pipe.

The main-chamber or oven proper 1 of the device is preferably of rectangularshape and has a multiple of-compartments in which the objects to be sterilized or treated are to .be placed.

In Fig. 1, I have plainlyshown the device as'having a pair of compartments A and B placed side by side with a hollow or double-walled partition G between them, such partition having its saidwvalls duly spaced apart to providean insulating airchamber. 5

Angular supporting-strips 2 are suitably mounted on thewalls of the partition C so that'they have horizontal portions extending laterally into the chambers A and B, and similar angular strips 3 are mounted on the opposite end walls so that t-heyhorizontally aline w-ith'strips 2 and project laterally toward the said strips 2, both sets of strips 2 and 3'being respectively adapted to support trays 4t and racks 5 in the several compartments, as best shown in Fig. 1, and duly D of the oven.

Angular strips 6 are used in connection vertical side-edges 7 (see Fig. 2) openingsothat the trays or racks can be readily guided to and from place wlth n the oven through the door-ways and without undue obstruction.

E indicates a generating-chamber that forms ahollow bottom for the oven, as best shown, in' Figs. 1' and 4. This chamber is. fluid that is subjected to heat from below and duly converted into steam or like highly-heated gas. It is obvious that the device may be placed ona burner or stove using alcohol,

. with the strips 3 to vertically aline with the of the door oil, gas or other fuel for heating the water to generate steam or otherwise vaporize 1t into condition for sterilizing purposes in the oven which may'c'ontain one or more compartments as desired.

' A vertical sight-feed water-glass 8 is used at one end of the steam generating-chamber E, with its lower end elbowed and entering the lower-portion or -bottom of said chamber E, at the right-hand end thereof, whereby said'cham'ben E may be duly supplied with water and, also, its depth in the chamber duly. indicated from without. The upper end of this water-glass is elevated somewhat above the chamber E so that the water will not ordinarily escape therefrom, unless said chamber becomes overfull, and itis obvious that this "glass .willbe usefulin permitting theescape of steam to cause a hissing sound of alarm in the .event the water becomes too low in the chamber E whereby said steam v the steam into the oven for sterilizing purcan escape throu of the glass.

A steam outlet-opening is-made in' the bottom D of'each of the compartments A- and gh the lower elbowed -end *Bfof the oven to permit the liberation of Steamer gas from the chamber E into said poses; These valves 10 are preferably made of aflexible fibrous material or the like that is practically steam-proof and adapts itself toproperly close the openings 9, and'they are pivotally mounted or hinged at 11 so as I toturn or be rotated backwardly away from closing-engagement, suitable weights 12 being used thereon to hold. them in closedposition as well as in opened-position and,

also, to allow the valves to be thrown open U automatically when the 1 pressure in the keeper 17 and chamber'E becomes greater than it should be or'than necessary. Handles-13 are used on the outer ends of the hinging-stems of the valves for operating them from the outside. The valves 10 taper or bevel so as to fit within the openings 9 and provide a better closure. The weights 12 are correspondingly countersunk to fit within the countersunk tops of said valves 10.

14 indicates each one of the two doorsof the main-chamber or oven, the same being duly hinged at 15 .along their outerside edges, as best shown in Fig. 2, whereby ac-- cess to the oven is readily effected, and

pivotal hasp-bars 16 are used in connection with a central, vertical hook or keeper 17 to hold said doors tightly closed against the escape of steam. The free ends of the haspbars 16approacheach other, but do not contact, in the upwardly-disposed hook or provide a convenient and efiective fastening means,

door is open for accessto the oven.

F indicates a condensing-chamber surmounting the oven 1, preferably spaced v above the oven and having conductor-pipe valve 10 below has been closed and it is desired to open one ;ofthe oven doors for ac oess to the contents under sterilization. This is an important feature in connection with .the invention herein for the reason that it enables the person to safely handle the contents of the oven without danger of the hot blistering steam escaping forwardly from the oven, such steam taking the more direct course or circulation upward through the conductor-pipe into the condensing-chamber F wherein it is soon converted into water and prevented from passing. off or circulating ,intothe atmosphere.surrounding the device.

The condens'ing-chamber is preferably arranged at an inclination toward the right handf end of the device, as 'best shown in Figs; 1 and 2, whereby the water of con densation can more readily and quickly drain or pass downward into the vertical, external drain-pipe 19 that extends from the bottom of the rightouter-end' of'the chamber F to a level with the bottom of the generating-chamber E, as best shown in Figs. 3 and l where it discharges into said generating-chamber for repeated use. To further facilitate the drainage of the water into the vertical tube 19 I insert sloping partitionsor blocks 20 in the corners of the right-hand end of the condensing-chamber F, as shown in-Figs. 1, 4: and 8, the latter view best showing that feature. 1

Suitable valves 21, similarto those 10 below, are provided in the condensing-chamber F so as to close the steam-exits 18. These valves 21 are of thesame material as those 10 below and are similarly pivoted or hinged at 22 and have weights 23 whereby they are held down to place in closing the openings 18 or away from place on the bottom of the chamber F when "swung backwardly away from said openings 18 by means of the outer handles 2st when it is desired to allow the escape of the steam from the oven into saidlchamber F at any desired time and especially" when either The valves 21 are made tapered and the weights 23 countersunk in the tops thereof, the same asthose 10 referred, to above.

The spacing of the chamber F above the oven prevents the heating of. said chamber F to a greater or less degree and thus facilipermits a tates the condensation ofthe steam, such space allowing cool air to circulate therein to keep the bottom of the chamber F cool as well as the conductonpipe 18. It is obvious, of course, that the condensing-chamber can be applied direct tothe top of the oven without the air-space intervening, but an intermediate insulating material must be used between the oven and'the chamber F to prevent the transmission of'heat into saidchamber F that would interfere with the rapid condensation of the steam.

'A pet-cock 25 is provided at the upper lefthand end of the condensing-chamber to permit a preliminary drawing off of cool air or pressure from the device when it is about to'be heated for use and, under such circumstances, thrown open for a moment or two and then said pet-co k is closed, as well as said valves 21, so that he heating of the oven, with its contents therein, immediately follows thereafter.

A draw-off cock26 is provided in the bottom of the righthand end of the gencrating-chamber for discharging the water therefrom when it becomes foul or should there be any sediment or the like in the chamber, or as desired.

The tray t shown in Fig- 6 has plain solid sides and a wire-mesh or grated bottom to contain dishes or the like, shown in ig. 5 is entirely of wire-mesh or grating construction andis especially adapted to contain cutlery or surgical instruments that require special sterilization and that germs at any place therein reduced to a minimum.

The rackor grated-tray 5 shown in Fig. 7 is especially adapted for use. in connection with glass-tumblers used at soda-fountains and in saloons, as it is composed'of' narrow bars of metal 5 that cross each other at right-angles and are duly riveted tothe bars being bent into V-shape as shown a ton crowns or supports forthe glasses or glasses or tumblers tumblers that are placed in inverted-position thereon, as shown in Fig; 1. The

being round or 'CHCH- lar and the bars 5 being flat, the points of supporting-contact are so slight that no germs can lodge between them and the sterilization of said glasses is perfected through said grated crowns into and around said glasses. with a free circulation of the steam at all times.-

In operating the device it is placed on any suitable heating medium and, when the water in the generating-chamber E has become sufliciently hot to produce the requireddegree of steam or gas, the valves 10 are thrown open and the valves 21 thrown tightly closed.

the upper. valves 21 are as shown in andthe tray 4 free circulation of the steami'or gases with the chance of .any lodgment of at 5 so as to form skeleclosed, the pet-cock 25 being, of course, first used to liberate such cool air or pressure as first placed within the oven, in one or both con'ipartments as desired, and the doors In due time, after the required sterilization has been effected, the lower valves 10 are closed'and the upper valves 21 opened to liberate the hot steam into the cooling and condensing chamber, from whence the water of condensation passes downwardly through the external drain-pipe 19 to the steam generatingchamber for re-use; then the front-doors can be opened without danger of the steam rushing forwardly to inconvenience or burn the person who is about toremove the ob jects from within, whereby safetyand comfort ar both-provided for in the use of the device that makes it practical and effective.

To further render the oven safe againstoutward escape of the steam, an i'iiwardlytnrned lip or flange 28 is provided at the top, and a slanting flange 29 is provided at the bottom, as well as similar flanges 30 are provided along the sides of the door-ways,

outward rush or escape of steam and 'are important factors in the use of-my inven- The lower flange 29 prefertion herein. ably slopes downwardly so that any water of condensation can readily drop or flow from its inner edge and thus not form. or allow any collection of beads on the bottom thereof.

Instead of using the oven for sterilizing purposes it is obvious that it can be employed for cooking foods,

both liquid and solid ones and wherein a boiling of them is preferred. It can also be used to keep foods hot ready to serve.

I claim v 1- In a sterilizer fordrinking-glasses and the like, the combination with a steamsterilizing chamber arranged to receive the articles to be sterilized and provided with a closure for the introduction and removal of such articles, of a condensing chamber located above said sterilizing chamber and communicating therewith by an enlarged conduit, and a vai e to control said conduit, said condensing ch amber being of a capaclty such that whenthe valve is opened it will receive and condense substantially all of the steam in said sterilizing chamber, whereby the closure may be opened to permit access to the contained articles without discharge' of steam therefrom.

2. In a sterilizer for drinking-glasses and the like, the combination with a steam steri l.izingchamber arranged to receive the articles to be sterilized and provided with a clo' sure for the introduction and removal such articles, of a steam condensing chamber located above said sterlllzmg chamber and communicating therewith by an enlarged v chamber may be opened freely Without the conduit, a-valve to control said conduit, said condensing chamber being of'a capacity such that when the valve is opened it will receive and condense substantially all of the steam in said sterilizing chamber, whereby the .closure may beopened to permit access to the contained articles without discharge of steam therefrom, a steam generating chamber located below the level of the condensing chamber, and a conduit leading from the condensing chamber to the generating chamber and adapted to convey condensation from the condensing chamber to the generating chamber.

3. In a sterilizer, the combination with a chamberarranged to receive the articles to be sterilized and provided with closures permitting free access to the interior of the chamber, means for supplying sterilizing vapor to said chamber and means provided toreceive said sterilizing vapor preliminary to the opening. of the closure whereby said objectionable discharge of sterilizing vapor through sald closures.

4. In a sterihze'r, the combination with a steam sterilizing chamber arranged to re- CQlWe the articles to be sterilized and providedwith a closure for the introduction 'and removal of such articles, of acondensing chambercommunicating with the sterilizing chamber; a valve to control said communicating means; a steam generator; a valve to control the admission of steam from the generator into the sterilizing chamber, so arranged and connected up that when the valve controlling the entrance of steam is closed and the valve controlling the mission of steam to the condensing chamber is open, the steam in the sterilizing chamber will be discharged into the condensing chamber, whereby the closure may be opened to permit access to the contained articles without discharge of steam therethrough.

JOHN C. DARNALL.

Witnesses:

FRED F. OAKLEY, JOHN ELIAS Jonas.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five. cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0. 

